Ms Dervla Gleeson

Ms. Dervla Gleeson is identified as a lobbyist associated with British American Tobacco, a leading global tobacco company. BAT is known for engaging lobbyists to represent their interests, particularly within the United Kingdom and the European Union. Although detailed public information about Ms. Gleeson’s lobbying career is scarce, lobbyists in this sector typically have experience in legal, regulatory, and governmental affairs, making them instrumental in navigating complex tobacco legislation. A background in law, such as Ms. Gleeson’s academic qualification, aligns with the skills needed to influence policy, draft position papers, and engage with legislators to protect and promote client interests in a highly regulated market.

Ms. Gleeson’s lobbying efforts for British American Tobacco likely focus on influencing tobacco regulation within the UK and EU. The tobacco sector faces stringent controls on advertising, packaging, sales restrictions, and public health initiatives. Using her legal expertise and understanding of regulatory processes, Ms. Gleeson would work to ensure BAT’s compliance with laws while advocating for policy approaches favorable to the tobacco industry. This includes protecting BAT’s market access, shaping flavor and product regulations, and challenging overly restrictive measures that could harm business. Additionally, BAT often aims to influence the discourse on harm reduction through alternative nicotine products such as vaping, where lobbyists play a key role in shaping legislation and public opinion. Ms. Gleeson’s role may also involve strategic communication with policymakers, positioning BAT as a responsible industry stakeholder and engaging in nuanced debates about tobacco economics, employment, and government tax revenues. Behind the scenes, such lobbying aims to delay or weaken detrimental regulations and promote a regulatory environment that balances public health goals with commercial interests.

While specific meetings attended by Ms. Gleeson are not publicly documented, typical lobbying activities in this context include high-level engagements with members of the UK Parliament, the European Commission, and relevant regulatory agencies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Lobbyists often participate in parliamentary committees, provide evidence in consultations, and organize stakeholder dialogues to advocate BAT’s position. For example, BAT lobbyists have historically met with policymakers to discuss the implementation of the EU Tobacco Products Directive and Brexit-related regulatory shifts affecting cross-border tobacco sales and standards. These interactions influence critical decisions regarding packaging, product ingredients, advertising bans, taxation, and e-cigarette regulation. Lobbyists like Ms. Gleeson would prepare detailed regulatory impact assessments and compliance strategies, coordinating with BAT’s public affairs teams to align messaging across regions. Evidence of lobbying impact can be seen in certain softened regulatory provisions or phased implementation timelines that align with BAT’s input.

No publicly available direct contact details, social media profiles, phone numbers, or official website information for Ms. Dervla Gleeson as a lobbyist are found. British American Tobacco’s corporate headquarters and official lobbying disclosures would be the primary channels for contact:

British American Tobacco Corporate Website: www.bat.com
UK office contact: British American Tobacco, Globe House, 4 Temple Place, London WC2R 2PG, UK
General Public Affairs Email (via BAT website)

Ms. Gleeson does not appear to maintain a public professional social media presence related to lobbying.